Universal joint



UNIVERSAL JOINT Dec. 8, 1931. H. H. LlNN 1,835,506

UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed April 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet` 2 JNVENToR. H H. L/N/v.

BY t,

A TTORNE Y.

Patenxed Dee'. s, 1931 PATENTE ori-fiera HouuN'mimY LINN, 'on Monms, NEW YORK, AssroNcR 'ro 'rma LIN-N MANUFACTUR- ING conroax'noN, or nomas, NEW Yonx, A comoaArroN'or NEW Yom: t

' UNIVERSAL JoINT l l Application led April 2,

5 cidental and infrequent deflection such as an automobile engine with the transmission and the transmission with the differential.

The primary object is to provide mating elements normally centered under a yielding resistance and coupled to permit a center line defiection to the extent of.four or five degrees.

A further object is the provision of apni- `versal joint assembly affording natural storage of lubricant and in which the contained' lubricant is directed centrifugally to the oints where it is required, a lubricant seal eilig established which' operates materially to reduce leakage. l Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features and sco e of the invention will more readily be un erstood from the following description taken in connection with the vaccom anying'drawings, wherein Figure l is albroken plan, partly in longitudinal section, showing a combined propeller shaft and universal joint.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on line A3---3 of Fig. 1. The preferred construction embodies a tubular propeller shaft 1 provided at. its ends with universal joint assemblies of duplicate construction.

Each of said assemblies includes a hardened steel hub 2 having a reduced portion or )seat 3 to accommodate the end of the propeller sha-ft which is preferably further secured, as by welding. d

The other end of the hub is formed with a rim 4 splinedas at 5. The bore of the hub is closed by a wall 6 at the shaft end and fully open at the opposite end, whereby'it may serve in part as a lubricant receptacle, the propeller shaft being provided with a grease cup 7 which communicates with the hub through. an opening 8 in the wall thereof. A hardened steelcup 9 is broached as at 10 to fit the splined rim of the hub. The fit is relatively loose so that the hub or cup may depart from the center `line to the extent of 5 four ,our five degrees.

192s. serial No. 2es,s24.

Shaft 15 has a reduced end 16 extending into the cup and threaded for the reception of a nut 17, which bears against the`cup side l of the flange connection 14.

In order to center the tube and hub assembly andto prevent too much end play, there is provided a`coil spring 18 whereof one end encircles the shaft extension 16 and whereof the other end bears against the end wall 6 of the hub.

19 are retainer plates, operating as at 20,

\ 65 channel 21 to confine a felt or packing strip 1 to hold the parts and, cooperating to form a 22 spaced from the rim designed to engage and bear upon the hub with sufficient pressure to prevent escape of the lubricant and to exclude foreign matter.

The chamber established by the cup and hub insures adequate storage of lubricant and by disposing the-felt or-packingbeyond the spline connection full advantage is taken of the centrifugal action developed to flood the spline connection with lubricant and with substantially no loss.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a universal joint, a cup removably secured'to one shaft section, a hollow hub cse- `cured to the other shaft section,\a rim integral wlth the hub and fitting within the cup, the

rim and cup being formed for driving relation with permissible center line deflection, means engaging the exterior of the hub for sealing the cup beyondthe rim, and a spring bearing against one end ofthe first mentioned y shaft section and fitted within the hollow hub to center the parts and prevent undue end A play.

2. In a universal joint, a hollow hub terminating in aicircumferentially enlarged end.w v

rim, a cup internally formed for driving connection with the rimywhile permitting limited relative play, said hub providing a lubrip cant reservoir for serving the cup and rim through the action of centrifugal force, and aspring operatively disposed within the hub and with relation to the cup for centering the hub and cu assembly and to prevent undue end play o the parts.

3. In a. universal joint, a cup internally broachcd, a hollow hub fitted within the cup and of materially less diameter than such cup, said hub terminating in a circumferentiallyenlarged rim splined for driving connection with the broached cup, a spring fitting within and throughout the length of the hollow hub and bearing against the cup, said hollow hub serving as a lubricant reservoir to serve the rim and cup through centrifugal force, and a seal `carrier secured to the end of the cup and carrying a sealing member bearing y on the hollowhub inwardly of the driving connection between the hub and cup.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HOLMAN HARRY LIN N. 

